These farmers markets are springing up for the season in Norfolk

It’s spring, and it’s an exciting time with fresh produce coming into market. It’s indeed a good time to be a foodie.

Norfolk has a number of places to grab straight-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables, including farmers markets and a green grocer.

“When buying local food, you are leaving a smaller carbon footprint, with food coming from mere miles away instead of all the transportation to bring food from across the country or from overseas,” says Amy Jordan, who is market manager, along with her sister, Michele Ascher, at East Beach Farmers Market and Talbot Park Farmers Market.

“You are supporting local. Your food is fresher and more nutrient dense. You can eat seasonally, when food is also at its peak of freshness.”

Gordon Holley, owner of Westside Produce & Provisions agrees.

“Markets provide an avenue for local producers to showcase their goods and services,” he says.

And markets don’t just connect folks with food, but folks with each other.

“The market serves as a social hub where community members can come together and connect with each other. This helps build a sense of community and fosters a strong social fabric,” says Lori Golding Zontini, executive director of Ghent Farmers Market.

Heading out to market? Here’s our picks.

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East Beach Farmers Market

Established: 2020 by We Dig Tidewater LLC

Days/hours: Through mid-November. The market gathers Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon.

Vendors: 43

Highlights: Klassic Doughnuts always demands a line for their on-site, fresh yeast doughnuts. Liliana Produce, Browntown Organics, River Road Farm and Capstone Mushroom offer fresh-from-the-farm offerings. Look for chicken, eggs and pork from Rehoboth Farm, bison from Riffle Farms, and seafood from Uncle Russ’s Dockside Seafood Market.

East Beach Farmers Market is at 9680 Shore Drive, Norfolk; the market will be moving to another location in East Beach in mid-July. Call 757-636-7922 or visit www.NorfolkVaFarmersMarket.com.

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Ghent Farmers Market

The Ghent Farmers Market plays an important role in promoting economic, social and health-related benefits to the community, making it a vital part of the area's culture and identity, says Lori Golding Zontini, the market’s executive director. Courtesy of Ghent Farmers Market

Established: 2021 by the Ghent Business Association

Days/hours: Through October with a holiday market in December. Offered the first and third Friday of each month, 4 until 7 p.m.

Vendors: Approximately 60

Highlights: Check out a variety of farm-fresh produce, Virginia made products, baked goods, mushrooms, jams and jellies, cheeses, coffee, seafood, hot sauces, soup, snacks, and more. There are also nonfood items like clothing, candles, and flowers. The market has a live music schedule.

Ghent Farmers Market is held on the green space at Blair Middle School, 730 Spotswood Ave., Norfolk. Visit www.GhentFarmersMarket.com.

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Talbot Park Farmers Market

Established: 2018

Days/hours: Through October. The market runs Wednesdays from 3 until 6 p.m.

Vendors: 35

Highlights: Shop for produce from Norma’s Produce at Penn Farm, Lilana’s Produce, and Raincharm Mushrooms. Beef, pork, chicken, bison and eggs are available. You will find sustainably grown local flowers. There’s a rotation of popular food trucks to make a weeknight meal easy. Cool off with popsicles and hand-crafted drinks from Joysicles Gourmet Pops and Mane Events.

Talbot Park Farmers Market is at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 6400 Newport Ave., Norfolk. Call 757-636-7922 or visit www.NorfolkVaFarmersMarket.com.

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Westside Produce and Provisions

“Expect to find the freshest of seasonal local produce, and a great selection of locally produced meats, cheeses, pastas, sauces, honey, peanuts and beverages” at Westside Produce and Provisions, says the green grocer’s owner, Gordon Holley. Courtesy of Westside Produce and Provisions

Established: 2012

Days/hours: Year-round. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday noon until 5 p.m.

Vendors: Westside deals with well over 100 local farms, food producers, bakeries, wineries and breweries.

Highlights: Westside Produce is known for tomatoes, berries, sweet corn, apples and eggs. At the height of the growing season they will have up to 80 locally grown fruits and vegetables. They offer a continually growing selection of Virginia’s Finest products. They are a leading purveyor of Virginia wine.

Westside Produce and Provisions is at 5015 Colley Ave., Norfolk. Call 757-962-1961 or visit www.WestsideProduceAndProvisions.com.

So what to look for in the month of May? According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, produce includes asparagus, beets, greens/spinach, herbs, onions, and strawberries. In this column we’ll let you know what’s in season at the beginning of each new month.

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A la carte: Spring wine festival

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This weekend raise a glass to Virginia wine with the 15th Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival. The event returns to the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7.

The weekend at Town Point Park offers sampling a variety of more than 200 wines from some of Virginia’s top wineries. Hosted by Norfolk Festevents, it is one of the region’s most anticipated wine festivals.

Here more than 25 of Virginia’s top wineries pour their best vintages against the beautiful Elizabeth River. Enjoy gourmet foods, specialty merchants, live music, and more.

Folks at Festevents note that all wines presented during the festival are available for purchase by the bottle or case throughout each day.

Planning to attend the 15th Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival? Here’s some of my top tips for making the most of a wine festival that I’ve developed over my quarter century experience in food and wine:

Have a designated driver.
Realize there are a lot of wines out there and they can’t all be tasted in a day. Hit ones you want to try and a favorite or two, then consider buying some bottles to take home for quaffing later.
You can’t do a full day of tasting on an empty stomach. Plan on enjoying the food offerings at the event. Also, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Dress comfortably and in layers so as the day changes you can remain comfortable.
Don’t wear cologne; drinking wine is a sensory experience and if you load up on the perfume it could affect yours or others tasting.
Try the wines you know you like, but try some that you may not have had before – you could find a new favorite.
Really taste the wines; look at them, smell them, taste them, and take notes so you will remember your impressions of them.
Make use of the dump bucket if you are starting to feel the effects of drinking too much, or if there is a wine you don’t care for.
Also make use of the crackers or bread to clear your palate, especially between greatly varying vintages.
Ask lots of questions; the folks from the winery are there to help you make the most of your visit. Don’t worry about asking something that may be common knowledge to them, if you are curious, ask.

For more on the 15th Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival, visit www.Festevents.org.

Patrick Evans-Hylton, PatrickEvansHylton@gmail.com